Relay For Life honors cancer survivors

June 4, 2013

Morning News â€” Samantha Richardson
Both survivors and caregivers help themselves to the buffet at Tuesday's cancer survivor dinner.

A luau-themed American Cancer Society 'Relei' for Life Survivor Dinner for cancer survivors of Bingham County and their respective caregivers was truly a heartfelt event on Tuesday.
"This is one more celebration for our cancer survivors. We hope that it provides support to them all and their caregivers," says event committee member Kathy Dietrich.
A survivor's dinner is held every year right before Relay for Life, and this year the luau-theme took the cake. The meal consisted of pineapple marinated Ham, potatoes, rolls, salad, ice cream, and cookies.
Committee member Susan Morrell did the honor of welcoming everyone, and Reid Morrell offered the opening prayer.
Joey Walker, one of the winners of Bingham's Got Talent, played a song on his fiddle, and Aggie's Angels sang a few songs.
There was also a setup of a chair and table with various props and decor that symbolized specific struggles in the fight against cancer.
Young survivor Ashlynn Key and her mother, Barbara, spoke of their memories of Ashlynn's fight against cancer at the age of seven, that were both inspirational and uplifting.
"It's exciting to see the support that the survivors have in the area," said Suzanne Robbins, who is also a member of the Survival Committee.
Special thanks to Amy Mow from Downtown Dance, On The Spot Cleaning, Hub International, the Survivor's Committee, Relay for Life Committee, Kesler's, Rachel and Annie Grimmett, Tia Morrell, Sharon O'Brien, Suzette Martinez for not just donating decorations but also having a few of her fellow co- workers (Michael Reece and Lezley Dunn) from US Bank help decorate for the event; the Eastern Idaho State Fair, Vern's Radio Shack, and a huge thanks to the Head Chair of the Survival Committee, Dawn Larsen, for making this dinner possible.
"My committee is amazing. I don't know what I would do without them. We've all become close friends because of this," said Larsen.
Relay for Life will be June14-15 at the Blackfoot High School track.
"I can't even begin to describe how it feels to be able to be a part of all of this [Survival Committee]. I love every single one of my survivors," said Larsen.